Planning Ahead: Little Crafty Gift Ideas

It won’t be too long before the holidays are here and I wanted to share a few of the past crafty ideas I’ve posted in case you wanted to start planning ahead and making these with/for the kids. I’m posting these now, as well, as several stores have their school supplies on sale and you might be able to grab up some deals to make these:

Book Box – This was a big favorite with several of my readers. You’ll need to find a box, either holiday in theme or one you can wrap with holiday paper, and fill it with wrapped books. (Check your Michael’s Craft Store as they have boxes on sale for $2 through 9/22/12.) The kids get to unwrap a new book randomly throughout the year. It’s a gift that keeps on giving year-round! See the post on it here.

Personalized Crayon Holders – These are made from empty, and cleaned, frosting containers. Pair this with a coloring book and maybe even some things you can find during school supplies clearance sales to make a cute gift set. Several of our stores have backpacks, pencils, notebooks, etc on clearance. A great way to put together an arts/crafts bookbag. Read the post on it here.

Bowling Pin Set – Save up some Coffee-Mate Creamer Jars and buy some colored electrical tape (most dollar stores sell it) and turn them into a bowling pin set for the kids. You may be able to find some summer items on clearance to find something to serve as the bowling ball. Or…..

…turn them into a cute snowman decoration. You can even fill them with hot chocolate mix and marshmallows and a mug for some hot cocoa! These might be cute sticking out of a stocking, especially if filled with holiday candies/treats!

Personalized Journal – You should be able to find the composition notebooks on clearance at places like Target right now. Turn one of them and some scrapbook paper into a cute personalized journal for someone. Also pick up some nice pens in the school clearance sales to pair with it. You can read the post on that here.

CD Case Photos – Hang onto an old CD case so you can turn it into a photo frame that might be nice for a parent’s office desk or a grandparent’s end table.

Seek-and-Find Containers: Save up a Parmesan Cheese Container and some odds-and-ends and turn it into a Seek-and-Find Container. My kids love theirs and play with it often. Add a little tape around the lid to secure it and you’ll have a nice game to distract them while traveling!

Photo Collage – Turn a Canvas Board, some fabric and pics into a cute photo collage for a family member. See the post on that here. Note: I’ve had mine for four years and it looks just as good as the day I made it!

Hot Chocolate Cones – Keep your eyes open for cone-shaped wrappers, sales on hot chocolate mix and mini chocolate chips to make these. Several of my readers have turned them into gifts for their kid’s classmates for the holidays.

Peek-a-Boo Board – This is great for young’uns that are still excited about peek-a-boo. Just be careful to use materials that are appropriate for their age. You can read the posting on it here.

If there’s one thing that I’ve learned from younger kids it’s this – gifts don’t have to be elaborate to be fabulous. With them, it’s all about the simplicity and fun of it!